Lee Upends Defending National Champion Oklahoma City

FRANKFORT, Ky. - (Box Score | Postgame Coach Comments) There will not be a repeat champion at the 33rd annual NAIA Division I Women's Basketball National Championship, as Lee (Tenn.) dethroned defending champion Oklahoma City, 59-48, in the quarterfinals at the Frankfort Convention Center.

With the win, Lee (33-2) advances to the semifinals for the second time in program history - the first coming in 2010 - to play the winner of Lubbock Christian (Texas)/Cumberland (Tenn.) on March 18 at 6 p.m. EDT. Additionally, the Lady Flames set a single-season program record for wins (33) and move head coach Marty Rowe within 10 victories of 400 for his career.

Hollie German, who entered the quarterfinals averaging 21.5 points per game at the national championship, continued her stellar play with 18 points on 4-of-11 shooting and a 7-for-9 effort at the free throw line. German was 3-for-6 beyond the arc to improve her tournament 3-point shooting percentage to 47.6 percent (10-of-21). Joining German in double figures for the Lady Flames was Jenna Adams with 18 points.

Lee scored the game's first eight points, however Oklahoma City outscored the Lady Flames, 13-5, over the next seven minutes to tie the score at 13. Four-straight points by Mary Jackson extended Lee's advantage back to six, 19-13, minutes later as the two sides battled back-and-forth the remainder of the period. Oklahoma City pulled within two once, but found themselves training 27-21 at the break.

German opened the second half with her third-and-final 3-pointer of the game, setting the tone for the Lady Flames, who extended their lead out to 36-23 following a Jenna Adams field goal. The Lee advantage held stayed hovered around eight points over the next seven minutes before the defending national champions used a 11-2 run, capped by a Loren Gober 3-pointer from the corner to cut the deficit to 48-45. The three was her only made field goal beyond the arc in the contest.

Despite the Oklahoma City surge, Lee maintained its composure. The Lady Flames, who went the final 5:38 without a field goal, converted 11-of-12 free throws during the final two minutes of the game to seal the victory.

Lee dominated the glass, out-rebounding Oklahoma City, 46-35, including 15 offensive rebounds that led to a 14-3 advantage in second change points. The Lady Flames shot 35.3 percent from the field (18-of-51) and 70.4 percent (19-for-27) at the foul line.

Oklahoma City was led in scoring by Katie Hall's 24 points, while the team's two top scorers - Desiree Jeffries and Lauren Gober - were held to a combined 12 points, including a season-low three points by Jeffries. Jeffries' only field goal of the game came on a layup with 1:05 left in the second half.

With the loss, Oklahoma City ends its season with a 28-4 record. Prior to Lee, the Stars had won seven-straight games at the national championship.